Md. Mijanur Rahman Akanda, Phulpur: There have been allegations of taking money from SSC examinees of Phulpur Government Pilot High School in Mymensingh while depositing practical books. It is learned that the school authorities informed the examinees about the payment of money along with the practical books two days ago.

During the on-site inspection on Friday morning, several examinees who did not want to be named said that the school authorities had fixed 300 taka for the deposit of practical books for general science (science) branch examinees and 200 taka for the social science (arts) branch examinees. The money was taken from some examinees last Thursday. Ratan Mia, the father of the SSC examinee, said, "My daughter is an examinee of the general science branch of this school. She told me that I have to pay 300 taka to the school for submitting the practical book. I have spoken to a few other guardians about the matter. They also told me the same thing. Only a thorough investigation will reveal the real truth." Guardians of several examinees, who did not want to be named, said that the matter of the school authorities charging money for the practical book is true. However, when the matter was discussed in the local press and on Facebook on Friday morning, they did not take any more money. In this regard, Kamal Hossain, an assistant teacher at Phulpur Government Pilot High School, said that the allegation of taking money from the examinees with the practical book is not true.

The acting headmaster of the school, AKM Azad, said that no money was taken while submitting the practical book. This propaganda is being spread to tarnish the reputation of the school. Phulpur Upazila Secondary Education Officer, Nasrin Akhter, said that we will investigate if we receive a written complaint in this regard.